Red Mountain Open Space Conditions

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Report last updated: 7/26/2015

Current Conditions

Big Hole from Cheyenne Rim trail (photo by Larimer County Ranger)

Park situation

RED MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE AND ALL ASSOCIATED TRAILS ARE OPEN.

Larimer County Department of Natural Resources continually strives to maintain an excellent level of customer service. This includes checking trail conditions to keep a trails open when approriate and closing them to protect the natural resource. Our staff will continue to keep visitors abreast of trail conditions and open and close the opens spaces when trail conditions require.

Allowing visitation and trail use during periods of extensive rain/snow fall causes significant damage to trail systems. When the ground is saturated and soft, running, horseback riding and biking on undeveloped dirt trails causes rutting, and additional vegetation damage is caused when users side step the extremely muddy areas. This loss of vegetation and rutting increases erosion by channeling water as it sheds off the trails. The Natural Resources Department and the citizens of Larimer County appreciate your cooperation and patience, during these closures.

For Natural Resources events and activities, check out the events calendar!

Dogs are not allowed at Red Mountain Open Space. They are seen as predators by wildlife and would disrupt the routines of the wildlife. Protection of the wildlife and other sensitive cultural and historical areas is important so that they are around for generations to come. Camping is not permitted at Red Mountain Open Space. It is a day use area only.

Trail conditions

Weather conditions can change rapidly. Dress in layers, carry extra clothing, and be prepared for cold,wet and windy weather.

If extremely muddy conditions exist, these trails may be closed to protect them from damage. Such closures will be posted on this site, on open space road signs, and at trailheads, and a Facebook and Twitter update will be sent out. Otherwise, please stay on trail and do not go around muddy spots. If people go around muddy areas, the trail widens and vegetation is trampled. A widened trail is very difficult and expensive to restore. Thank you for helping to keep your open spaces beautiful!

Water
Bring plenty of water. Water is not available at the trailhead. There are two water troughs available on trail for horses. There is a map with the locations of the water sources at the equestrian trailhead.

Bird sightings
Red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, golden eagles, prairie and peregrine falcons, great horned owls, several types of swallows, meadow larks, horned larks, and many other birds live in and have been spotted at Red Mountain Open Space.

Hunting
Limited hunting by special access hunting permit only for deer and elk will occur on weekdays only during the second, third, and fourth combined seasons along with the cow elk season. The special access hunting permit application period is in February of each year. Applications can be found under the hunting information link on the Red Mountain Open Space web page. The drawing for special access hunting permits will be in March. If you were not successful in the drawing, you may not access Red Mountain Open Space for public hunting.